Govt must regulate freedom to practice religion: SC

Govt must regulate freedom to practice religion: SC

Says such regulations must be based on ‘administrative considerations in larger public interest’ An AFP file image ISLAMABAD: The apex court has ruled that exercise of the freedom to profess and practice religion must be reasonably regulated “on administrative considerations in the larger public interest”. "It is essential as well…

In new term, Supreme Court once again takes up religious liberty

In new term, Supreme Court once again takes up religious liberty

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington July 2, 2020. Legal experts have noticed a pattern in how the court handled religious liberty cases in the last term. (CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters) WASHINGTON — As part of what seems to be a new trend for the Supreme Court, it…

In new term, Supreme Court once again takes up religious liberty

In new term, Supreme Court once again takes up religious liberty

You are here: Home » Featured » In new term, Supreme Court once again takes up religious liberty The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington July 2, 2020. Legal experts have noticed a pattern in how the court handled religious liberty cases in the last term. CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst,…

NAMB asks full court to review panel’s decision in McRaney case

NAMB asks full court to review panel’s decision in McRaney case

Citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board (NAMB) has asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a hearing by the full court in order to reconsider a ruling in a lawsuit filed by a former executive of the Baptist Convention…

Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Critical Teaching About Islamic Terrorism

I think this is generally quite right, and indeed an important victory for academic freedom; professors, including those at public colleges, have to be able to speak freely about religious belief systems (whether Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or anything else), no less than other belief systems. From Sabra v.…

Religious liberty ruling for wedding photographer commended

Religious liberty ruling for wedding photographer commended

Alliance Defending Freedom photo Chelsey Nelson runs a wedding photography and blogging business in Louisville. She is involved in a suit against Jefferson County Metro Government. A court decision in support of a Kentucky photographer who declines to shoot same-sex weddings is a victory for religious freedom , advocates for…

John MacArthur’s church can worship Sunday with singing, no attendance cap: judge

John MacArthur’s church can worship Sunday with singing, no attendance cap: judge

Pastor John MacArthur announced during the Shepherd’s Conference held earlier this month that next year’s conference will include a summit on biblical inerrancy. Photo taken March 7, 2014. Pastor John MacArthur, whose Grace Community Church had been holding in-person services in violation of the state’s COVID-19 health orders, is celebrating…

NAMB files en banc request, First Liberty Institute joins case

NAMB files en banc request, First Liberty Institute joins case

NAMB headquarters in Alpharetta, Ga. (BP photo) NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board has asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a hearing by the full court in order to reconsider a ruling in a…

Churches Sue Governor Over Religious Liberty Violation

Churches Sue Governor Over Religious Liberty Violation

Cornerstone Church in Alexandria (Minneapolis, MN) The Thomas More Society filed a federal lawsuit against Douglas County Attorney Chad Larson alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on August 13, 2020, over Executive Orders requiring face masks at religious worship services. The United States District Court complaint is on behalf of three…

California Megachurch Sues State Over COVID Mandates

California Megachurch Sues State Over COVID Mandates

Within days of opening his church to worship services in July, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, received a “cease and desist” order from Los Angeles County. The order started off gently: “The County requests that you immediately cease holding indoor worship services or other…

Key California Employment Law Cases: July 2020

Key California Employment Law Cases: July 2020

Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, 140 S. Ct. 2049 (2020) Summary: The ministerial exception, grounded in First Amendment’s religion clauses, barred teachers’ employment discrimination claims where teachers educated their students in the Catholic faith and guided their students to live their lives in accordance with that faith. Read…

Did The Satanic Temple Sue Over Missouri Abortion Law?

Did The Satanic Temple Sue Over Missouri Abortion Law?

Image via YouTube, Screen capture A 2018 lawsuit brought by a member of The Satanic Temple (TST) against a Missouri abortion law spurred a debate about religious liberty and abortion rights. Judy Doe, the name given to the plaintiff in the suit, claimed that the state of Missouri’s law requiring…

First Amendment Timeline: 21st Century

First Amendment Timeline: 21st Century

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – The First Amendment to…

John MacArthur retains Trump lawyer in fight over COVID restrictions

John MacArthur retains Trump lawyer in fight over COVID restrictions

A personal lawyer to President Donald Trump has been retained by high-profile pastor John MacArthur and his Grace Community Church in a COVID-19 fight with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the City of Los Angeles. Grace Community Church has defied government health mandates that prohibit large gatherings to prevent the…

Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church Represented by All-Star Legal Team

NEWS PROVIDED BY Thomas More Society LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5, 2020 / Christian Newswire / — The Thomas More Society announces that nationally renowned attorneys Jenna Ellis and Charles LiMandri will represent Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, California, as Special Counsel. Grace Community Church, its…

U.S. Supreme Court Holds Employment Discrimination Claims of Religious School Teachers Are Barred by the First Amendment

U.S. Supreme Court Holds Employment Discrimination Claims of Religious School Teachers Are Barred by the First Amendment

On July 8, 2020, the United States Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision held that the “ministerial exemption” which prohibits courts from considering employment disputes of certain employees of religiously affiliated organizations, applied to two Catholic school lay teachers. Therefore, their claims of discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment…

Tom Waddell: SBA program violated church-state separation

Tom Waddell: SBA program violated church-state separation

The Payroll Protection Program was a good idea to help boost the economy by funding small businesses during the pandemic. Unfortunately, allowing the Small Business Administration to grant federal taxpayer funds to multi-billion-dollar, international nonprofit corporations with hundreds of thousands of employees is a significant violation of the Constitution’s First…